First Love by James Patterson (Book Review)

First Love

by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

published in 2013

An extraordinary portrait of true love that will move anyone who has a first love story of their own. Axi Moore is a "good girl": She studies hard, stays out of the spotlight, and doesn't tell anyone how all she really wants is to run away from it all. The only person she can tell is her best friend, Robinson--who she also happens to be madly in love with. 

When Axi spontaneously invites Robinson to come with her on an impulsive cross-country road trip, she breaks the rules for the first time in her life. But the adventure quickly turns from carefree to out of control after the teens find themselves on the run from the police. And when Robinson suddenly collapses, Axi has to face the truth that this trip might be his last.

A remarkably moving tale very personal to James Patterson's own past, FIRST LOVE is testament to the power of first love--and how it can change the rest of your life.

I was familiar with James Patterson having read a handful of the Women's Murder Club books years ago, but I wasn't sure what to expect with this New Adult novel.  I noticed it one night at work and just thought it looked good so thought I would check it out.  I was not disappointed.

I loved Axi and Robinson's relationship.  They were friends who shared a very sad past.  Something that not a lot of kids their age would be able to relate to, and it had bonded them together.  Axi only has her father at home, and he doesn't know whether she is there or not most of the time, so when she got this idea for a cross-country road trip, she knew she wouldn't have to worry about him.  Robinson lives with an uncle, and that is about as much as Axi knows, but she also knows she can't make this trip without him.  

Axi thinks she has it all planned out, but before they can even leave town, Robinson has derailed her plans on how they are going to travel and she finds herself on the back of a motorcycle!  Through the next few days/weeks Axi finds herself living more and more in the moment, but also realizing that she is going to have to face the future. Robinson is very cavalier and carefree, not wanting to face the future at all.  He eventually leads Axi to his parents' house on the East Coast. It is here that they both come to terms with what the future holds.

Heartbreaking first love story.